The 10 biggest disappointments of MLB’s first half

Let's be honest, sometimes expectations just don't meet reality. And what better time to take a moment to take a look at these under-performers than the All-Star Break?

Here are the 10 most disappointing players in the first half of this MLB season.

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David Price

David Price signed a mega-contract with the Red Sox, who haven't gotten much return on their investment. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

He was one of the prized gems in free agency, certainly for a pitcher. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, he's underperformed significantly. Price is getting paid $30 million this season by the Red Sox with a 4.34 ERA. Incredibly, Price has already allowed as many total earned runs this season (60) as he did all of last season. It doesn't get much more disappointing than that.

Dallas Keuchel

Dallas Keuchel hasn't been able to re-discover his Cy Young form from last season. (Corey Sipkin/New York Daily News)

It's been a pretty rough start for last year's American League Cy Young award winner. Keuchel's ERA has ballooned from a 2.48 in 2015 to a 4.80. Last season Keuchel posted 20 wins, but he's a bit off the pace this year with just 6 wins at the All-Star Break. Keuchel has allowed the most earned runs in all of Major League Baseball, 63. He allowed 64 all of last season.

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Giancarlo Stanton

Giancarlo Stanton clobbers the ball like few others, but he doesn't make contact as often as you'd like. (Kathy Willens/AP)

But he's got 20 home runs, you say. Sure, but he also went on a five-homer binge before the break, clubbing four in two games against the Mets. The issue is he just doesn't connect enough to make a huge difference for his team. Amazingly, Stanton has the single lowest batting average (.233) of any qualified Marlins hitter. For $325 million, $25 million per season, Stanton needs to become a more efficient hitter.

Matt Harvey

Even before he announced season-ending surgery, Matt Harvey was more of a riddle than the Dark Knight for the Mets. (Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports)

His season is over after announcing last week that he will have shoulder surgery to alleviate discomfort, but theses have been rough days for the Dark Knight. His 10 losses are tied for the most in the NL, he wasn't pitching far into games, and his ERA is a dreadful 4.86.

Mark Teixeira

Mark Teixeira hasn't been over .200 since May 19. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Mark Teixeira hit his milestone 400th career home run on July 3, but that's not going to let him off the hook for the first half of this season. Knee injuries and an atrocious .193 batting average haven't helped the Yankees' woes at the plate. Although far past his prime, Teixeira hit 31 home runs just last season and did in fact make the All-Star game.

Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez has become a bench player for the Yankees. (Jeff Haynes/AP)

Yes, he's been hurt, moved around and has only played in 51 games. Still, Yankees fans expect more when you're making $21 million. As inefficient as A-Rod was even last year, he still hit the long ball well belting 33 home runs and posted a .486 slugging percentage. This season Rodriguez's slugging percentage has dipped to .382 and he has just eight home runs in essentially a platoon role.

Justin Upton

Justin Upton got a big-money deal from the Tigers but has put up small numbers. (Rich Schultz)

The Tigers certainly haven't seen the best of Upton. That's pretty unfortunate considering Upton got his long-term $132 million deal which even includes a no-trade clause. His .235 batting average is the lowest since his rookie season way back in 2007. Just as worrisome, Upton isn't hitting for power. He has just eight home runs this year.

Andrew McCutchen

The Pirates are in the mix despite a mixed season from Andrew McCutchen. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

What is going on in Pittsburgh? McCutchen's steady decline from 2013 MVP has many Pirates fans in the Steel City worried about the 29-year-old outfielder. He's batting just .247 this season and his on base percentage is a career low (.319). What is so alarming is the fact that McCutchen's batting average has decreased every season for the last four consecutive years. Also worth noting, McCutchen is having a terrible season on the base-baths where he's swiped just two bags and been caught five times.

Jason Heyward

Jason Heyward hasn't made much of an impact in Chicago. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

The Cubs won the Jason Heyward sweepstakes in the offseason. Problem is he's not playing like Jason Heyward. His .243 batting average is proof of that. Heyward isn't connecting on pitches he usually crushed with the Cardinals last season, and he even volunteered to bat lower in the lineup. Fortunately for baseball fans on the North Side of the Windy City, Heyward's slumping ways haven't halted the Cubs' success in any way so far.

Prince Fielder

Prince Fielder's batting average is down about 50 points from last year. (Jim Cowsert/USA Today Sports)

Prince Fielder is one of the most mysterious batters in recent memory. You can never tell if he's getting better or if he's beginning to tumble. After a resurgent 2015 season which saw Fielder hit .305, he's batting an abysmal .216 thus far this year. Five players on the Rangers have registered more runs scored than Fielder's 28. His .343 slugging percentage is a career low as well. Nevertheless, similar to Heyward's situation, at least Fielder's team does lead their division.